The Centre has stepped in asking the Assam government to give all-round protection to the 17-year-old girl who was recently molested outside a bar in Guwahati, Assam, as well as to her family if they desire it.
The Union home ministry has sent out these directions to the Assam government as the molestation case of the minor girl got came to light with a purported video footage of the incident doing the rounds. Also, the home secretary of Assam has been asked to personally monitor the case where all the culprits have not yet been arrested.
The MHA has also sought a detailed report from the state home department and the DGP on the incident. Lapses have been pointed out on the part of the Assam police in dealing with the molestation case which comes days after the shocking punishment to a girl student at Vishvabharati in West Bengal. The MHA has also written to the Bengal government seeking a report on the case.
Top government officials said the guidelines issued by the MHA to states against child abuse and child crime are clear about ensuring safety of students, timely intervention and speedy justice to the victims.
To ensure strict compliance, the Centre is mulling calling a meet of DGPs and chief secretaries of all states to sensitise them on the issue of violence against women and children. However, a final call on such a meet will be taken after discussions between the concerned departments and ministries at the central level. The home ministry, in its advisory on crime against children to all states and UTs sent in July 2010, said “there should be no delay, whatsoever, in registration of FIRs in all cases of crime against children.”
“All-out efforts should be made to apprehend all the accused named in the FIR immediately so as to generate confidence in the victims and their family members. The administration and police should play a more proactive role in detection and investigation of crime against children,” it said.